Boxing Betting / Alex Steedman / 02 May 2009 / 1 Comments

Alex Steedman believes that every time underdog Ricky Hatton lands, Manny Pacquiao will really feel it. The only question is, can the English man land often enough? Best Bet: Back Hatton @ [3.25]

Men of the people, working class heroes made good, Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao are more than just alike. They also happen to be the two most exciting fighters on the planet and their face-off this weekend will determine who is considered Boxing's best.

That pound-for-pound crown rests easily on Pacman's cheery head, the burden comfortably upon his tanned shoulders. A performer as well as fighter; Zorro without the mask, assassin without the gun, how fitting that it was Oscar De La Hoya whom Pac brutalised to confirm his position as the sport's new No1 star.

But if a sportsman is generally considered as good as his last performance, boxers are almost defined by it. And that sensational, one sided whooping of The Goldenboy is somewhat misleading. De La Hoya was almost completely 'dead' at the weight, essentially a zombie but without the bite. For Pac Man, it was target practice and while he looked brilliant, Oscar helped him to do so. My feeling is that on that night, against that De La Hoya, Hatton would have been at least as sparkling, possibly more so.

You may recall my prediction then was that weight would come to bear. I was wrong but Oscar was in no fit position to ask that question of Pacquiao and it is a question that remains; can he really operate against the genuine 140-147 pounders? At 135lbs, Pac Man is a monster but wins over the limited David Diaz and a weight-drained, part-time fighter in De La Hoya is insufficient evidence on that score. I'm of the opinion that every time Hatton lands, Pacquiao will really feel it. But can the Englishman land often enough?

This fight is about speed as much as it is strength and power. And Pac Man is fast. He certainly holds the edge in hand speed, an advantage he repeatedly used against Oscar and from a variety of angles. Pac Man didn't try to blast De La Hoya, he simply looked to lay glove on him and often. Accumulation did the damage, a ploy I think he'll attempt again.

Hatton however, has fleet of foot and he returned to something like his old form last time against a supposed slippery eel in Paulie Malignaggi. Admittedly, the American probably bottled it but Hatton man-handled him in a way that even Miguel Cotto couldn't. Showing speed, patience and more variety in attack, 'The Hitman' reminded himself as well as us what he's capable of. The same and probably more will be required against Pacquiao.

Manchester's finest has returned to training earlier than usual, lighter than normal and focused entirely. There are some concerns that he is spending half his training camp in England with Lee Beard as opposed to all of it with Floyd Mayweather Snr in the USA but home comforts can be psychologically significant to fighters, Hatton more than most. And the fact that he and Manny like each other is, ironically a help. Remember how Ricky lost it in the build up to the Mayweather Jnr fight?

As cordial as the build up has been, these are two vicious men backed by corner men who dislike each other - it promises to be enthralling. And given their speed and movement, it could be dramatic, cuts might be inevitable. Hatton is on first names terms with that old dog, Pacquiao less so. Banking rounds could be an advantage.

But I don't honestly think, given the front-foot ferocity of this pair, that this can go the distance. I can see two fights: Pac Man throwing, sliding, picking off Hatton head on; Hatton bull-like but calculatingly brutal, forcing surrender and the unthinkable. Britain's first ever pound-for-king? You can bet on it.